Pin ball-controlled racing game



Jan. 6, 1953 D. R. wlsER ETAL PIN BALL-CONTROLLED RACING GAME 4Sheets-Sheet l Filed Oct. 30, 1948 Jan. 6, 1953 D. R. wlsER ETAL2,624,581

PIN BALLCONTROLLED RACING GAME Filed Oct. 50, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 2DOUGLAS R. W/SER, THOMAS 'CL/NTON BARTLAM, 8 BRYAN R. BURKE.

/NVE/V TORS. HUEBNER,BEEHLER,WORREL.

HERZ/G 8 CALDWELL.

A TTOR/VEVS.

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`lan. 6, 1953 D. R. wlsER ErAL PIN BALL-CONTROLLED RACING GAME FiledOct. 30, 1948 57 mim f Sheets-Sheet 3 Jpg. 7.

Doz/GL THOMAS BR VA /v CLINTON BARTLAM, R. BURKE.

/NVEN TORS.

HUEBNER.BEEHLER, WORRE'L,

HERZ/@ CALDWELL.

A TTORNEYS.

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8 4 9 l 3 w 11 4u. 6, o d u 4 A Patented Jan. 6, 1953 PINBALL-CONTROLLED RACING GAME Douglas R. Wiser, Thomas Clinton Bartlam,and Bryan R. Burke, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application October 30, 1948, Serial No. 57,432

16 Claims.

This invention relates to racing games of a general character set forthin a co-pending application of Thomas Clinton Bartlam, Bryan R. Burke,Douglas R. Wiser, and Vincent C. Engstroin, Serial No. 774,742, and morespecically to improvements in a game of said character, its mode ofplay, result and construction.

Figures l and 2 of the drawings of this application correspond to thesame figures in the drawings of said co-pending application. Theremaining drawings in the instant application are either entirely new(i. e., Figures 3 through or are in part similar to said priorapplication and in part new or modified to carry out the desired resultof the instant invention (Figure 11). An improved total combination andgame thereby results.

As in said prior application, it is the intention of the instantinvention to simulate as near as may be in a game, a racing event whichmay be participated in by numerous players and the mechanism of which ispreferably electrified or otherwise mechanically operative, its resultsdepending upon a certain degree of control and initiation oi movementand operation by the players.

Manifestly, costs and elaboration of mechanism and likelihood ofbreakdown is increased in proportion as greater detail in simulation ofan actual racing event is obtained. Even when this is achieved to amaximum desired extent, however, habitual players, or those playing withparticular skill and luck, tend to become more or less consistentwinners. Constant shifting or adjustment of the game apparatus andconstant vigilance by skilled supervisors is necessary to avoidexcessive advantage by one player over another and prevent the attendantloss of business and reputation by the amusement device (whether meritedor not) on the grounds that the game is unfair to some players as givingunfair advantages to others.

The instant invention, without detracting from the excitement ofcompetitive play and skill, but in fact enhancing such excitement bysubstantially equalizing the game, gives each player an even opportunityto score throughout the race. To do this the game achieves a speeding upof laggard racers and an elimination of run-a-way or consistent winners.The racers are thereby more closely grouped throughout a race. The leadconstantly changes. Winners therefore are more evenly distributed. Theresultant game thus presents a pageant of continuous excitement withconsequent increased en- 2 ioyment to the participants, for a racer wholags, Whether at the beginning of the game or near its end, may yet win,and one who is apparently ahead at any stage may hold no necessaryadvantage during the balance of the race or in another stage of it.

The present invention, like that disclosed in said co-pendingapplication, may also incorporate the features of multiple winners,ties, and/or fast finishes.

It is therefore among the objects of this invention to provide a new andimproved simulated racing game per se.

lt is another object of this invention to provide in a game of thecharacter described new and improved means for carrying out the purposesof the game.

Among the more specific objects of the invention are the provision of asubstantially equalized game, the provision of a restraining barrier toavoid run-a-way winners, provision of a speed up of laggards, provisionof facilities for regulating the speed of the game and of its speed-upand its restraining barrier either overall or in part, the optionalincorporation of Win, Place and Show positions and mechanism forachieving them, the optional provision of a Fast Finish in uniqueassociation with the game as a whole and the equalizer in particular,provision of a new and improved progressive game regulator, andprovision of new and improved equalizer means.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a new and improvedgaine of the desired character described of simple construction, theparts of which are readily accessible for replacement or repair andwhich will provide long periods of continuous trouble-free use.

It is :likewise amongthe objects of this invention to provideimprovements over prior art games and apparatus heretofore intended toaccomplish similar or analogous results.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent inthe drawings and the following specication relative thereto.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a frontal perspective view of a preferred form of gameapparatus as may be used in this invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view as on a line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a detailed vertical elevational view as at a portion of theback side of the apparatus of Figure l, illustrating a pair of equalizercontrols and associated mechanism. A

Figure 4 is a plan View of the same.

Figure 5 is a sectional view as on a line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a sectional View as on a line 6 5 of Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a sectional View as on a line l-i of Figure 6,

Figure 8 is a detailed view as on a line 8 8 of Figure 6.

Figure 9 isv a fragmentary view similar to Figure '7 showing parts in adifferent operative relationship.

Figure 10 is a simplified view of certain equalizer gear mechanism andassociated parts. v

Figure 11 is a diagrammatic view of an operative and wiring mechanism ofthe'game apparatus, some parts being simplified and other parts omitted.

The operation of the apparatus chosen to illustrate this invention willproceed concurrently with a description of Figure 11 corresponding withcertain modifications and improvements to Figure 2O of said co-pendingapplication, and having reference, where feasible, to correspondingparts in both applications by means of corresponding reference numerals.Reference numerals starting in the '700 series herein are applied toparts added to or modified in the instant application. Direct referenceto the prior application is made where its repetition herein would notserve to point out the improved structure or function now disclosed andclaimed.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is shown (Figures1 and 2) an annunciator panel or backboard designated by the numerall3i), including a top 3l, ends 32 and a bottom 34. The front face of theannunciator may be divided into a plurality of parallel horizontallydisposed lanes, such as l, di, Q2 and 43, etc., preferably extendingentirely thereacross. Each lanemay be additionally divided into anynumber of segments or positions i5 upon which the progress of successiveplays across the board for each corresponding player may be indicated aswill appear.

Individual playing units eil, 5I, `52, etc., are provided correspondingto the lanes llt, el, li2, @3, etc., and each playing unit iselectrically interconnected to the annunciator 3G in a manner to bedescribed in order to control the progress of the game thereon throughand by means of said individual playing units.

The positions d5 may be nished o in front by translucent glass,cellophane, or plastic Inaterial 54, and may be provided with indicatorlamps 55 (cf. also Figure 11). These are preferablys'eparated from oneanother by means of individual cells 56 bounded, for example, by the topof the annunciator panel 3l, a panel board 51 and any number ofhorizontal and transverse partitions 58 and 59, respectivelyl By Way ofillustration, though not of limitation, the illustrated annunciator 3E)is divided into racing lanes or courses 4U, fil, Q2, etc., each of whichmay in turn be divided into a horizontal series of forty positions 45.As shown, these are divided as by a vertical tape Sil. Thus, anarbitrary ten positions in spaces on the right of the tape in each laneas illustrated collectively comprise the stretch or fast finish portion,While those thirty at the left may be collectively designated thestraightaway 'portion.

`Both-inl the straightaway and the stretch it is preferable, asheightening interest in the game,

to illustrate distinguishing characters, such as horses 62, in variousstages of gait so as to give the illusion of movement when theindividual lamps 55 are progressively illuminated from left to right(Figure 1) during the play. Such characters also tend to differentiatethe several lanes and so identify the players with their respectivehorses,

The vertical row of positions designated by the numeral 65 mayconstitute the post or starting line, and the last vertical row ofspaces designated by the numeral 66 at the right-hand side of each laneis ordinarily considered the nish line. To the right of the finish linein each lane, the name of the corresponding horse or the like in suchlane may be set forth and optionally continuously illuminated duringplay, or the same may be illuminated simultaneously with the occurrenceof a winner in such lane.

Any number of winners and corresponding Win positions may be providedfor, but it is preferable as corresponding with conventional racingpractice to provide three categories of winner separately designated ineach row. Thus, the rst may be indicated as in a win position 6ft in thelast column 6l and may bear a designation win A place column 68 may alsobe provided and designated with place positions 63. A show column 59 maybe made up of the show positions or spaces l0. Each of these spaces 6E.,G3 and le may be illuminated individually in a manner similar to thespaces A5, but each should preferably carry an inscription, as stated,appropriately designating it as a Win, placa show or the like signal.

A master'control box l5 (cf. Figure 11) may be provided under thecontrol of an operator or general supervisor by whom the game may beselectively started, as by depressing a start button l; cancelled duringthe course of a game as by an emergency trip ll; or, at the end of thegame, as by a cancel button 78. Or a game may be selectively alteredfrom one involving only one winner, to one involving two, three or anyother number of successive winners. The latter result may be achieved asby means of a selective trip lever "i9, all in a manner which will bemore fully apparent as the description proceeds.

An electrical conductor cable 8@ may connect the control switch box l5to the annunciator 3U and the playing unit 5d, etc., while another cable8l may also connect the conductors from the playing units to theannunciator.

The playing units 56, 5 l, 52, may be individually or collectivelymounted as upon a table S2 in front of which the players may sit orstand in a position to actuate the individual plungers 83. suggestiveplunger construction and associated mechanism are set forth in furtherdetail in said co-pending application. Any conventional balldirectingand impelling means maybe employed.

The playing unit or board preferably includesy a usual starting lanealong which a ball 94' (see Figure 11) may be rolled and guided, as byany suitable guides, through paths such as '123, 124, 125, 726, l2? and'E28 defined thereby.

While passing through the paths '123, etc., the ball may actuate buttonsand their switches ll, 192, 'm3, 70:55, l'ii, 7%, 7M, i638 and lililwhich are connected to and actuate circuits associated with theannunciator panel as will be discussed later. It will be noted thatcertain lanes, such as "12d, l26 and 72S may each be provided with twobuttons lill and 765, lili and lill, and T103 and 109, respectively,whereas, lanes 723, 'F25 and 121 may be provided with only one buttoneach, e. g., 104, 106, and 108, respectively. This arrangement isintended to activate certain win circuits as will appear.

After leaving the paths 123, etc., the ball may be conducted back to aposition for replay.

Said switch buttons preferably have a shank portion and a head, saidshank projecting upwardly through the playing eld and engageable anddepressible by the ball 94 which, when it rolls thereover, closes aswitch 142 (optionally jointly associated, as by an offset arm 142 withsaid switch 142) or switches 10 102 and 103 upon which the heads of thepins yieldably rest and are thereby normally urged upwardly to projectabove the face of the playing field. The closing of the switches 142,102 and 103 actuates appropriate circuits to progressively illuminatethe progress indicator lights 55 on the annunciator panel as hereinafterexplained.

inasmuch as this game is intended to be primarily competitive, it isdesirable that all units are simultaneously freed for play. For thispurpose it is preferable to have a locking mechanism or the like for theball 94 so that upon the release thereof all of the balls are free to beplayed.

To this end a wire |10 may be moved as by a solenoid so that when thesolenoid |15 is energized, the wire will hold the ball 94 against playuntil released as in a manner set forth in said co-pending application.

When the solenoid |15 is de-energized, the wire |10 may be normally heldin a non-locking position by means of a spring or the like, not shown.

Preferably mounted upon the back |80 of the annunciator are a pluralityof stepping relays described in said co-pending application. Said relayscorrespond in number and are operatively connected to the playing unitsand to the lanes 40, 4|, 42, etc., on the game progress recording means30. The function of these stepping relays may, of course, be performedby any other appropriate regulatory means as electronically, ormechanically, by means of conventional relays, or by any combination ofthese, as illustrated and described, by way of example, in saidapplication.

But as shown in the illustrations (cf. Figure ll) under discussion, thestepping relays generally comprise vertical bars |85 mounted forpreferably r Vertical movement and are grounded as by a wire 438.

Each bar |85 is provided with a row of teeth |90 along one edge IBI, andeach is supported at various positions of elevation correspondent to thedistance between the teeth |99 as by means of an escapement latch |92.The detent |93 of each escapement is normally held in mesh with one ofthe teeth |90 of the corresponding bar |85 as by means of a spring |91.

Opposed to the spring |91 is a solenoid 200. Upon actuation of thesolenoid 200 the latch will be drawn thereagainst, to disengage a tooth|90 actuating the escapernent tooth by tooth.

Any number of intermittent energizations of any solenoid 205 will thusallow a corresponding bar |85 to move gravitationally downwardly adistance equal to a similar number of teeth |30.

Non-conductive contact plates 2|5 corresponding to and adjacent each bar|85 may be provided with a double row 2 I9 and 2|1 of contact points.The bar |85 is fitted with a pair of preferably yieldable slide contactpoints 2|8 and 2| 9, respectively, engageable with the contacts in therows 2|6 and 2|1 as the points are moved into a 6 position of adjacencyto said contacts. This will be accomplished, as will be apparent, eachtime the bar |35 is lowered by one tooth |95, a distance which is equalto that between adjacent contacts in said rows.

During the course of play and as the bars drop step by step as abovenoted, and upon play causing the intermittent actuation of the solenoids200, a point is reached at which the topmost tooth is released by thelatch |92 in one of the stepping relays. In the first instant that sucha result is achieved in any bar (corresponding with a winner) a winshoulder mechanism described in said co-pending application, preferablyin common with all of the bars |35, holds the contact points 2|3 and 2|9at the top of such bar into a position of engagement with the lowermostcontacts 233 and 234, respectively, on the contact plate 2 l5, therebyestablishing a win circuit, signalizing a iirst or winner on theannunciator, and simultaneously energizing any number of place relays235 which operate in a manner also described in said application toallow the bar contacts 2 I0 and 2 |9 to engage the place contacts 245and 245, respectively, for establishing a place circuit in theannunciator panel thereby designating a place or second winner.

As further described in said prior application, simultaneously with thescoring of a place, a preliminary third winner or show circuit issimilarly set up by action calculated to bring the contacts 2|8 and 2|9upon the bar |35 corresponding to the show winner into engagement with apair of show contacts 255 and 255, respectively, so as to set up a showcircuit in a like manner to the win circuits and place circuitsheretofore described, and to close down the game.

The return of all of the bars |35 to their uppermost "start positionwherein all of the latches |92 engage the bottcmrnost teeth on each ofthe bars |55 restores the game to a condition for recommencernent ofplay.

Automatic return mechanism associated with the bars is illustrated anddescribed in said copending application wherein a motor 212 may beemployed, controlled by switches 284 and 5|6 and solenoid 545, cancelswitch 18, etc.

Referring now, for convenience, particularly to Figure 11, andconsidering operation with structure, we assume initially, as in saidprior application, a power source connected to the apparatus from mainpower leads 385 and 38| connected to a 11G-volt transformer which may bestepped down to 25 volts and 16 volts, respectively, as indicated. Wealso may initially assume that the selective switch 19 is set for threewinners, i. e., a win W, a place P, and a show S, corresponding as toiirstj second and third At the commencement of the game, an operator incustody of the control box 15 (Figure l) depresses the start button 16(Figures l and 11) thereby moving the blade 382 (Figure 11) thereof froma contact point 383 to a contact point 384 to energize and ring a bell385 for a period dependent upon the length of time the start button 16is held down by the operator.

The bell-energizing circuit may begin in the transformer 312 and thenceto conductors 385, 381, 388 and 389, the switch blade 382, Contact 384,wire 390, bell 355, wires 39|, 392 and thence, for example, to a 25 voltsource through a wire 393. By this means the bell 38E-so long as thestart button isdepressed by an operator-sigagee-.gear

nalizesY-the commencement of the game to thev players..

It may here .be noted that upon the conclusion of a-game a relay 394normally remains energized through a circuit including the switchblade-392 ina .manner which willlater appear, butsimultaneously withthedepression of the start button. 76, saidcircuit is broken thereby de-energizing theA relay 399 land operating switchesV 39.6, 397, 398 and399 controlled thereby causngthem to assume. their normal positionsfor,Y play as illustrated in Figure 1l., Simultaneously, therefore, withthe actuation of the` start button 7Sby the operator, the switch 399 ispermitted to open as shown, thereby opening the bell. circuitwires 399andi, switch396, Wire, 40|, thermo-switch 992, wire 793bell 395 andVswitch 398, wires 499fand M9, Vcoil l75 andiwires.

4l l, 412,499 and399.

Said movement of theswitch 399 also energizes all of the coils1299associated withy the bars |85 foreach of the playing units and energizesthewires and switches associated with the buttons 7| through`7li9rrespectively on each ofthe playing boards.k That isto say, theclosing of the switch 398 against the point 498 energizes wires M4, 975,coils 299 and wires 979, 7H, 7I2, 7| 3 switch H4, wire 7l5 and normallyopen switch 7 l G when in closed dotted position 7 i 9a for each of theplaying units, which, however, `do not actuate any of the associatedmechanism until the occurrence of later events to be described.

It will be noted that the individual switch 7l2, susceptible of manualoperation, is interconnected in the line7l l-7l3 of each of the playingunits, respectively, so that any individual unit may be defenergizedl toprevent play therein or for repair without interfering with theoperation ofthe other; units. During use ofthe corresponding playingunit suchY switch is closed.

Lines ,'H, 7,!9 and 729are connected, with fast iinish switches whoseYactuation will cause the progressive illumination `of a predeterminednumber of indicator lamps 55 in the annunciator panel under aggiven setof circumstances torbe described while the conductor 72l and wire 722aresimilarly connected to the switches whose actuation will cause theillumination of any desired numberof successive lamps in a row on theannunciator panel'depending on the location of the barrier. Thisfeature'will also be more fully discussed as the description proceeds.

Simultaneously, with theV actuation ofl -the switches 399, 397' and398,' the closure of switch 399 will cause the illumination of-apreferably green go lamp 729 in each of the playing units, therebyfurther signaling the start of a game to the players. The illuminationof the go lamp |211v is established as through wires 926, 327, switch399, wire 429, lamp H24 and wires i339 and M2.

It may thus be seen that the pressing of the starting button 76effectively sets up the game for operation. The next moves required forthe progress ofthe gameareunolerl thecontrol .oftheindividual'playersalthough it may benotedthat so long as the power through leads 399 and:33|:

is supplied to the system, regardless of the actuation of thev startingbutton 79, certain progress indicia, such. asindicator lamps 55comprisingl each race course or lane of agame progress Vrecorder orannunciator panel corresponding to each playing unit, are illuminated,dependingr upon the position of the contact point 2i9on the.y

respective stepping bars' i S5.

Thus, at the commencement of any game, .the bars having normally beenraised to their upper.-

most position, the contacts 2i9. on eachl bar willengage the uppermostcontact point in the rowof contacts 2l 7 thereby illuminatingtheindicator:

lampin the start row of the annunciator panel.

This illumination is voccasioned as'through wiresv :326, 592, 933andlitawhich commonly connect,y

with all of the annunciator lamps 95 including those 95 in a start row,as through wirest and 539, "espectively Said individualwiresas 335 andleading from all said lamps inte-rconnect with corresponding contactpointsl in each of the vertical rows 2%7 of the contact panels Ei,through the contact members 2l9 upon the bars its and lead thence as toa ground wire 938. Immediately following said depression of the startbutton by an operator as heretofore cle-- scribed, each playerdirects-his ball 94 over a play-1 ing board in any desired playing'unit5U andi It will be noted that some of the lanes or paths for the balls94 may -be provided with a single button, the depression of which isgood for the progressive illumination along the players course of anumber of indicator lamps 55 corresponding with the number of spacepositions between his active progress lamp or indicator and the barrierv99. Other lanes are marked for the similar progressive illuminationof'their lamps during ordinary play, or, when certain fast nishconditions have been established, such'anumber of positionsas Ahave beenpre-established as the fast iinish area.

Considering these :alternative possibilities seriatum, it will rst beassumed that the ball passes along the path 723thereby depressing'thebutton 799. The depression of the button 799 is onlyv momentary as-theball passes over it-but nonetheless an electrical impulse may pass fromthecontact 1598 along the path heretofore described; thence along wires739 and 73l, a-coil '732 associated with the equalizer wheel '733,instantaneously withdrawing its latch 735i from a pin as 735 thereon.Thereupon, said wheel 733 is rotated as described.`The-circuit-throughthecoil 732 fis completed by wires 79! and 722,switch 792`and wires 743 and M2.

The wheel 733 as it rotates, permits the wheel 799V to revolve causingthe cam members'i and 799 thereon to move so as to close its associatedmicro-switch H6 intermittently, so longY as the coil 732 is energized,in a manner to transmitvimpulses to a corresponding coil 290 as'frompoint 493 through wires land 975, coil 299; wires 476 and 7H, switch H2,wire A7l3, ,switch 774, wire H5, switch H9 and wire M7. Aho1d-Y ingcircuit on coil 132 is simultaneously established through point 408,wires 130 and 13|, coil 132, wires 14| and 122, normally open switch 148(now closed), wire 149, and normally closed switch 150 grounded at 15|.Said holding circuit is broken by opening of the switch 150 by the longcam 152 and lever 153 barrier mechanism as herein described.

Each momentary closure of the micro-switch 1|6 actuates saidcorresponding coil 200 which in turn causes the retraction from theteeth |90 of the corresponding bar |85 and its associated latch member|92. Accordingly, in the present play under illustration, the resultwill be recorded upon the annunciator panel in a lane corresponding withthe playing board in cuestion by the successive illumination ofindicator lamps 55. At the completion of this particular play (i. e.,through path 123), therefore, the lamp 55 in position 449 will remainilluminated and indicate the progress of a racer, as a horse or thelike, along its course or lane 40 while the balance of said lane will bepreferably dark.

Assuming that on the next play the ball 94 of the same playing unittraverses the path 124 on said playing board 50, and further assumingthe blue lamp |20 is illuminated, the button 10| will be depressedtemporarily in a similar manner to the button 104 and a current willthen iiow from the wire 1|8 through the switch corresponding with thebutton as from wires 432 and 155, blue lamp and wire 433 to contacts489, 41| or 412.

It should be noted that the temporary passage of the ball 94 over thebutton 10| in path 124 will have no effect in the annunciator panel solong as the contact point 2|8 on the .bar |85 has not engaged one of thecontacts in the row 2| 9 of the contact plate, i. e., unless the bluelamp |20 is illuminated. For until such eventuality the circuit in wire458, etc., will remain broken at the contacts 469, 41| and 412notwithstanding the closure of the switch at 10 I.

The blue lamp |20 connected ybetween wires 468 and 432 will thereforeremain extinguished duringr play until the bar contact 2 I8 engages oneof said contacts 459, 41| or 412, drawing current therethrough to theground through wire 438 and closing said last named circuit.

In the last illustration, the passage :of the ball over the switch 18|when the lamp |20, for example, is illuminated, will create a fast nishby drawing current from the point 408 of switch 398 through the wire130. coil 151, wire 1|1, switch associated with button 10|, wire 498,Contact 45S, 41|, or 412, contact 258, and wire 438, thereby energizingthe coil 151 and actuating the switches 158, 159, and 1|4 associatedtherewith.

Actuation of the switch 158 closes a holding circuit from wire 130through the coil 151, said switch 158 and wire 141.

The closure of switch 159 energizes the coil 132 through wires 135, 13|,said coil 132, wires 14| and 160, said switch 159, and wire 141, causingthe gear wheel 133 to turn until restrained by the barrier stop 8|3 inorder that the winner oi the instant game will have no advantage, butwill in fact be deprived of any accumulated equalizer movement in thenext succeeding game.

The movement of switch 1|4 from the uppermost contact 152 to thelowermost contact 163, switches current from said point 408 throughwires 4|4 and 4|5, coil 200, wires 4|6 and 1li, switch 1|2, wire 1|3,switch 1|4, contact 163, and

the fast finish panel 165 where the same is grounded. Rapid rotation ofthe contact point 165 over the fast finish contacts 151 causes rapidpulsations in the corresponding coil 200 thereby oscillating the latch|92 and permitting the corresponding bar to fall into a win, place, orshow position, as the case may be, corresponding with contacts 233 and234, 245 and 243, for 255 and 25B, respectively.

In the event that the blue lamps |20 in the lane 124 were notilluminated during the passage of the ball therethrough, no result wouldbe accomplished by the balls passing over the button 10|. However,passage over the button 105 in the same lane 124 would close the switch142 in a similar manner to the closure of the same by the button 104 inthe rst illustration and with the same result of actuating the coil 132to withdraw the latch 134 as from the equalizer wheel 133 to cause thesame to rotate to an extent limited -by the barrier structure.

A-s heretofore noted the rotation of the 'roto 166 is preferably morerapid than the rotation of the wheel 133, the consequence of which'isthat the progress in the corresponding lane by the rotation of the rotor105 establishes what is referred to as a fast iinish. It is understood,of course, that in event another player succeeds in reaching the nishline with or without having achieved a fast finish or any portionthereof, the finish line G6 may be reached and a win scored in theinterval between the onset and completion of the fast iinish move. Ifboth players or more reach the finish line at approximately the sameinstant of time a photo iinish or tie may be the result.

Thus, due to the interconnection of the wire 498 to contact points 459,41| and 412, the coming of the bar contact 2|8 to rest on any of thesecontact points will cause the blue lamp |20 to be illuminated on thecorresponding playing unit with the result that ii the succeeding playresults in the balls being passed over the corresponding path 124 (i. e.when an annunciator lane as 40 is illuminated in one of the spaces 410,410@ or 410D in the stretch at the right-hand side of the tape 60), afast iinish will result in that lane.

In a similar manner a lamp |2| (white) is connected into the circuit 432and 414 which terminates in contacts 415, 416 and 411 corresponding onthe annunciator panel with spaces 480, 48041 and 480D. Therefore, thestoppage of a Ibar contact point 2 I8 upon any of these contacts duringplay will result in the illumination of the lamp |2| on thecorresponding playing board and similarly the passage of the ballthrough the path 126 on the next succeeding play will result in a fastiinish for said unit.

The lamp |22 (red) may also be interconnected with wires 432 and 482,whereby similar fast finish circuits may be set up as through contactpoints 483, 484, 485 and 486 comprising the terminations of the latterwire on the contact panel 2 5 corresponding on the annunciator panelwith spaces 49M, 4901?, 499C and 490d. As in the other two instances,the passage of the playing ball through the path 128 on the playingboard will, the lamp |22 of the corresponding path being thenilluminated, bring about a fast finish.

A winner, as stated, is designated upon the lannunciator panel by theillumination of a corresponding space in the nish line 66. Thus, if awinner be designated in lane 40, for example, position 490d would beilluminated as through l1 a winrlamp contact 2345, wire 49h-'win lampses, "wires 1434,43 3, '4332 :and 26. `Such 'illuminationvwouldnbe-evidenced on' .the back on the annuncia- 'torpanel in aspace64.

'Simultaneous continued. iilumination .of the 'space-#law maybe achievedas by afinish line :lamp "45.6 1throughwwires @S3-and del, and a com--mon -wire 495. A nish 'line-place 'lamp` eee and a finish line showlampbii-n'iay also be i-connected as by similar `wires :bei andSegrespeCt-ivelygto wires 583 and 5M.

` Upon `the making of a first -winner the corfrespondingbar |35 thereofcomes to rest-upon But .if desiredr the VHselective tril .switch 1 9,if' pre-set at the win.point-afmwaactitofclose down ithe game-gat .the.'.making ofv .only a single winner. Such -aeclosing .down will .bediscussed hereinafter. I

Optionally,also, Ytherga-me may be V.shut down iat the -making'of .thesecond .winner by .pre-seh ting the switch 1S atv place point 555 as de-`scribedherein or asfurther described inA said copendingapplication.flfhewactualishutting down of a game, for eX- vample after va sho-w"hasbeen scored,.is accomplishedas follows:

When the bar 185 .corresponding tothe show `winner has fallen `into .apositionof rest, thebar `contact ,249 engages -the show light contact25d to light the show lamp y53| through wire 5M, etc., as; noted, .and.alsoilluminates Ikthe 'finish line `show .lamp-59e. .A like 'engagementof the .point .contact .ZIB with .theopposite show contact .25% ,closes:a ,circuit through wire 534, switch .52e `(previously .closed ,by.solenoid 52.3), wire .535, switch 13. `wire 535i, solenoid .3913 :and.wires 392 and 393, .therebyenergizing the solenoid 39.

Thesolenoid .394 operates to open the switch ,39,8 thereby .breaking thecircuit .to the fgo lamp .|24 .in each game. .It also separates theswitch 3.98 .from the contact M13, cle-energizing the stepping coils 200in all units and the associated :game mechanism including .the buttonswitches .1M through 109 .on .the yrespectiveplaying boards..

vMovement of .the .switch .blade .3533 to contact .point .40.1,.moreoven vmay .-actuate Icoils in each .unit Vto lock .the .balls 4gliagainst further play.

Simultaneously, 4.the .closing of kthe switch .39? .establishes .aholding .circuit for the ,coil ser?.

.The switch .386', also closed by the .energization of the coil 394,'closes .a ,circuit through wire 1.4 |l.,switch l396,wire 43|, point 5st!of the thermo-switch, .wire M3, bell '3.85 and .wires 3.9i, t3F12 and.3.93, ringing ythe bell .385 .and further signalizing .the end `of thegame. A secondary current also .flows .through the .tube |32 via heatingelementdl .and also .a wire .542, thereby ,shutting off .the bell aftera predeterminedperiod of time as established bythe adjustment of .aVariableresistance 543.

Manual :actu-ation ofthe cancel button 18 .as .by means described insaidco-pending application, Areturns vall the bars |85 to their initialelevated .position .ready for-the commencement of another fgame, e. g.,through themedium of a motor 212 and its associated :mechanism astherein `set .In .the event, iasiheretofore noted, :thatgitzis idesiredto make only; a'single winner, :the: switch :19 may be setupon the-winpoint 5st whereupon the game is automatically closed down-as aforesaid,by theestablishment of but 'a'single winner. Or, in the event .that awin and a placeis 'desired,but not a show, the .switch'bladezmay be setupon the place point 5&6. If, however, a "win,. -a""place anda showposition-are alike desired, theselective'trip switch maybe-placedupon'the show point` 551. as. illustrated. The Vgame will beautomaticallyshut down accordingly.

"In orderthatthe more 'specieoperation ofthe barrier .equalizer andiassociated apparatus vmay be' understood in detail', reference his newhad Vparticularly to `Figures 3 :through 8.

Individual 'barrier .and equalizer means, each .generally :designated ati139 '(one .corresponding to Aeachgrace course) ,zmaytbehousedfbetweenjndivi'dual corresponding side iframe members `lill and .'f'iseparated by spacers ghel'dfin place 'by any means as :screws 116.lefold-dewnfplates retain theserunits "its inplace asby tie'rojds 116equipped with wing nuts'l upon 'aframe member'lll preferably positionedatithegbackfof an rannunciator or other progress' A'recordingmechanism-'3G'.

Any contacts "Tie and' "13d may provide electrical connection betweenthe operative 'mechanism and wiring and the frame fstructure' 7|11 whichlatter maybe grounded. rSaid contact's'are connectedv with requiredwiring inthe switches 165, 134, 1138 and coil 132, for example.

The frames 11| and 1'12are notched at 182 to slidably accommodate adrive `shaft 183 `opel'- ated as by anelectricrmotor '184 (Figure "11)Vby any suitable means as a clutch arrangement '185. By'vintue of saidslots 1%2 and the generalframe structure of the units 110, eachmaybeseparately removedby theloosening of the wing nut A118 andtheremoval of the hold-on plate 115. 'The mechanisms -11S and theircorresponding 'housings may then be individually lifted from theirpositions on the frame 111 and from their Arespective engagement withother `mechanism more permanently secured to the frame`111 and axle 183.vSaid axle is secured to the frame by any number of spaced bearings as186 housed in brackets as 181.

Keyed to the shaft 183 as by screws 190 are collars 19| and 192 inspaced relationship to one another in a manner to carry between them anynumber of springs 193 nested as in recesses "193' within the collar 192.Also disposed between themisa clutch plate 18A normally .urged by theVsprings 19,3 against a fabric clutch element 191 which bears aganstthespur gear 1.96 frictionally abutting opposed fabric clutchelement 191.The latter bears against the collar 153|. By this means the gear '196 isfrictionally held .between the elements 191 and 191 for clutchedrevolution with the Vshaft 183.

The gear `15S drives a gear train comprising a `barrier Vgear 198, a camcarrying and switch actuating gear 199, and an equalizer' gear 'L3-3.The connection between the barrier gear `1553 and the cam carrying gear199 may be through a drive geariill turning on an aXle'BGZ journalled inthe side members 11| and v112 and carrying a sleeve 803 thereon. Thegear 80| is clutchingly associated with the gear 199 as through clutchelements '805 and a coil spring :80.6 vheld as iby .ya vpin 801.

:Cam dingers fand 146 von the. gear '199 -dur- 13 ing rotation of thelatter actuate the microswtch 116.

The barrier and equalizer gears 198 and 133, respectively, may beseparated from one another by any suitable sleeves 898 and 899 which mayturn upon a common pin 819 secured as within a bearing 8i 1 to a sideplate 112.

The barrier gear 198 carries a barrier limiting stop 812 and alsopreferably spaced therefrom a barrier stop 813, both of said stops beingengageable with the equalizer stop 152 upon the equalizer gear 133. Thedistance between the stops 812 and 813 may be established or regulatedso that any number of jumps equivalent to any desired maximum distanceof travel along the race courses 49, etc., may be allowed. The barriergear 193 may also carry the switch actuating wire 153 pivoted thereto bymeans of any appropriate yoke 814. The wire 153 has a switchengaging end816 for actuating the snap switch 159 and a. stop-engaging end 811extensible through an opening 815 in said gear 193 and engageable withthe end of the edualizer stop 152 by means of which the wire 153 istipped about its axis at 814 to the left, as` illustrated in Figures 1and 9 and as recorded in the extreme of such pivotal movement in Figure9.

The equalizer gear 133 carries, as noted, an equalizer stop 152 andalso, preferably upon the opposite side thereof, any number oflatch-engaging stops 135, 136, 131, 138 and 139 engageable with the end626 of the solenoid actuated latch 134 for intermittently restrainingrotation of said equalizer gear or permitting its rotation to anydesired extent. The distance between the latch-engaging stops 135through 139 is preferably such that corresponding rotation of theequalizer gear will cause a half revolution of the cam carrying gear 199to bring about a single actuation of the micro-switch 116, in turncausing a move of one space in the corresponding race course.

The gear ratios are such that the barrier gear 198 moves relatively moreslowly than the equalizer gear 133. The speed of the latter is such asto cause successive actuations of the switch H6 at a desired rate alongthe courses 46, etc., for example, two or three moves per second whenthe gear 133 is released for rotation by the latch 134. Rotation is thenpreferably limited by the equalizer stop 152 in its engagement with thebarrier stop 6K3. (Its simultaneous engagement with the end 811 of thewire 153 also opens the switch 156.)

The speed of the barrier gear 198 relative to the equalizer gear 133should be such that when the equalizer gear is stationary the barriergear may move ahead of it in the direction of the arrow to the fullextent permitted by the stops 152, 812 and 8 i 3 within the average timerequired to make successive tosses of the ball 94. Of course, this speedmay be varied within wide limits depending upon whether it is desired togive the lagging player (i. e., one who is slower in projecting hisballs, as distinguished from. a player whose game progress recordingmeans is trailing) an actual advantage over his faster opponent orrather to give the rapid player a slight edge.

It will thus be seen )that upon release of the equalizer gear 133, itwill rotate to catch un with the barrier gear and engage, by its stop152, the stop 813. Thereby such a number of moves along the race courseof the corresponding player will be recorded as equals the number ofactuations of the switch 116.

The fast finish rotor arm 166 may be nonrotatably held on the shaft 163as by a pinch bolt 825. A spring-urged contact 826 thereon is thus heldin a position to make electrical contact with each of the buttons 161.Inasmuch as the fast finish contacts 161 are relatively closely spacedand also because the rotor arm 166 moves relatively rapidly as comparedwith the equalizer gear 133, a fast nish will be achieved preferably ata more rapid rate (as, for example, ve to ten moves per second) than therate of progress occasioned by rotation of the equalizer gear. The fastnish is made only when one of the switches 101, 192, or 163 is actuatedat or after the tape position 69, provided also a corresponding lamp 126(blue), |21 (white) or 122 (red) is then illuminated.

In sum, the operation of the mechanism illustrated in greatest detail inFigures 3 through 10 is as follows:

When the game is set up for operation, the drive shaft 183 continuouslyrevolves by means of the motor 184 thereby driving the gears 196associated with each of the units 110. If no play is sooner made, thegears 136 turn the barrier gears 198 to a limit of rotation caused byengagement of the barrier limit stop 812 thereon with the equalizerstops 152 on the equalizer gear 133. Said gear 133 is normallyrestrained against rotation by engagement of the latch 134 (see Figure6) with any of the stops 135 through 139 prior to commencement of play.

If no play is sooner made, the clutch mechanism 194, and 191, associatedwith the drive gear 196, next permits the latter to slip holding thebarrier stop S12 against the equalizer stop 152 as illustrated inFigures 6 and '1.

Upon a plays being made, a circuit is closed as heretofore describedthrough the coil 132 thereby momentarily disengaging the latch 134 fromone of the stops 135, etc., permitting rotation of the equalizer gear133 in a counter-clockwise direction as illustrated in Figures 6 and l0at a more rapid rate than the barrier gear 198 (i, e., through the gear891, clutch element 865 and cam carrying gear 199). Thereby theequalizer stop 152 upon said gear 133 is carried in a counterclockwisedirection (Figures 6 and 10) ahead of the barrier stop 812 on thebarrier gear 198.

n The switch 159 being normally closed, a holding circuit (of. Figurell) is made for the coil 132 thereby permitting continued movement ofthe equalizer gear and stop 152 ahead of the barrier limiting stop 312until the same is caused to engage with the barrier stop 813, as shownin Figure 9, in which position said equalizer stop 152 engages the end311 of the Wire 153, moving the end 816 against and actuating the snapswitch 156 to open the same and break the holding circuit in the coil132. Thereupon, the latch 134 under the iniiuence of the coil spring821, re-

sumes its position of engagement wth 7356130. 1 the stops ng saidrotation of .and '236.

imentfbetweenithe gears "ist and'ill -Vslipsand,

being weaker than the clutch associated: with drivegea-r '.'dtherebypermits a continued rota- 'tion "of the gears-liti, '195, and 796 (gear'E98 rotating in a counter-clockwise direction, as illusf trated inFigures Sand l0) The barrier Vstop '8d3 thereupon moves away Vfrom theVequalizer stop 752, and the wire '153 is freed'to vreturn to theposition of Figure 7, allowing vthe switch 'itt again 'to close andsetting up themechanism `for another'play.

The amount of time taken by a. player to again pass the ball Slt throughone of the playing lanes "F23, etc. (i. e., foi-'again depressing any ofthe buttons 'ist through 169), will govern vthe amount of `movement cithe barrier stop 8i3 away from the 'equalizer stop E52 between plays.`It will thereengagernentof the barrier limiting stop 812 with theequalizer stop l52 lwill halt further rotation of the barrier gear T98,causing the clutch mechanism associated with gear i595 to slip. Withinlimits, therefore, the slow player will lose time and progress withoutgaining the advantage of accumulating moves. Obviously, however, nomatter how fast one play may follow another, no player 'can advancefaster than nor go beyond the barrier.

It may be noted that the distance the stops 312 and d i3, i. e., themaximum distance therebetween covered by `the equalizer stop 752, may beadjusted to any desired extent to permit any number of moves toaccumulate behind the barrier. Depending upon such pre-adjustment, thebarrier may accumulate any desired maximum number of moves, thoughpreferably two or more.

The. mechanism can be so adjusted that the fastest time within which theball Sli may be replayed will correspond to the amount of time requiredfor moving the barrier stop ti a distance equal to that between adjacentstops 735 Optionally, any additional time required during rotation ofboth gears 793 and '33 for Yequalizing their relative movement can bededucted.

It will thus be seen that a game has been produced simulating many ofthe essential characteristics of a real horse race or similarcompetition. Although a preferred form of the game apparatus is similarto that which has been illustrated'and'above described, the horses 62 orother figures mayv comprise physical three-dimensional charactersconducted along courses similar to that illustrated in connection withthe instant apparatus by any well-known means.

More than one win, place or show winner may result in oneor more ties ordead heats.

The particular number of winners or players and the combination ofoperative parts herein set forth by way of illustration can be alteredin any desired manner. Well-known innovations or alterations of thesequence or number of events or the number of steps may be used for theachievement ofthe desired result without departing `from the intentionherein contemplated.

Such-modifications within the intentment and general spirit of theinvention of various-of 'the devices employed in theA instant game willreadily occur to anyone skilled inthe art of mechanics, electricity andgaine manufacture. And, as shown in said co-pending application, thestepping relays may 'be replaced by conventional relays or electronicdevices also intended to achieve-a generallysimilar result.

inasmuch as it -is-the normaldesire of a player to repeat his plays -asfastas possible and -also because separate playersdo not ordinarilyclose their corresponding switches on the playing ffield simultaneously,lagging'players are-the exception rather than the rule. They will.betaken-careof by theiaccumulatedplays created-behind thebarrier(exempliiied .in Lthe `barrier stopsV 8.43, etc., consideredcollectively) andl made up by the equalizer (exemplified by theequalizervgear 7.33, camgear it, switches 'i iii, etc-) Y The .time-betweenaverage plays may bein the V`neighborhood of Vve seconds. but will vary.The

apparatus can in any -event be adjusted so. that any differential r.intime between the fastest and slowest average plays mayv accumulate anydesired additional number of moves.

The progress indicators will, in this game, move across the racing eldin a usually'well-defined or closely packed group'. The barrier being,.generally speaking, in constant motion, -Will not be apparent Yto Vvtheplayers nor will -its position at any instant of time between playsbegenerally known.. In any case, interest and enthusiasm in thisclose'type of racing will be enhanced by the realization that at or nearthe tape Eil the ball may pass through a lane having a lighted Yblue.white, or red lamp Mii, l2! or 222 resultinginone or more racersscooting ahead of the neld to a fast finish, preferably-regardless ofthe position of the other players on the neld. In fact, any of theracers might be moving` towards the tape under the influence of theequalizer '52 at a relatively slow pace and may therefore be overtakenand passed by the more rapid Vpace of the fast finish mechanism.

All of thesefactors contribute to a racing .game of great interest as istestified to bythe enthusiastic reception accorded its appearance atfairs and centers of amusement where its use is. primarily contemplated.By way of illustration, when used at the places mentioned, games made inaccordance with the structures vand principles herein set forth havebeen-arranged-with approximately ten spaces in the stretch. .The elapsedtime .for a fast finish from the tape -to theiinish line isapproximately one and one-half seconds. The game has been also soarranged .that a player may accumulate as many as eight moves behind thebarrier. The -rate at which movement takes place along the race coursesfor catching up with the barrier has been approximately threespaces persecond.

Although -the invention has been herein shown and described in what isconceived to be the most practical and preferredmethod.V and-embodiment,it is recognized that departures vmay be made therefrom within the-scopeofthe invention, which is not to be llimited to the details disclosedherein but is to be accorded the-full scope of the claims so. as toembrace any'and all equivalent i structures and methods.

The invention having been herein described, what we claim as new anddesire to secure by Letters Patent-is:

1. A racing game comprising game progress recording means having racecourses each including a start and a finish position and a plurality ofplaying units for individual players, electrin cal circuits and switchesinterconnecting said playing units `and said recording means, progressindicia associated with said courses intermittently actuated by saidelectrical circuits and switches in response to play upon said playingunits, timecontrolled barrier means limiting the rate of progress ofsaid progress indicia along said courses, a tape position on saidcourses between said start and nish positions, and fast iinish meansactuatable by selected ones of said switches for acceleratingcorresponding progress indicia after said indicia have passed said tapeposition.

2. A racing game comprising game progress recording means having racecourses and a plurality of playing units for individual players,electrical circuits and switches interconnecting said playing units andsaid recording means, progress indicia associated with said coursesintermittently actuated by said electrical circuits and switches inresponse to successive plays upon said playing units, means driven at afirst rate of speed for intermittently actuating electrical circuits andswitches at each play, time controlled barrier means invisible to theplayers and continuously driven at a slower speed than said normal speed`of said actuating means, and stop means between said -actuating meansand said barrier means preventing the actuating means from passing thebarrier means as a result cf any single play upon said playing units,thereby limiting the extent of progress of said progress indicia alongsaid course, and common drive means for said barrier means.

3. In a racing game of the character described, comprising a pluralityof individual courses having a iinish position, individual racersdesignated in said courses and intermittent individual control means forrecording the positions of said racers therealong, individualtime-controlled barrier means invisible to the players and independentof the control means normally governing the extent of maximum recordedprogress of said racers at any single actuation, and individualautomatic time-controlled equalizer means operatively associated withsaid individual racers and with said control means for automaticallyexpediting corresponding y lagging racers towards said iinish to anextent varying directly with the passage of predetermined intervals oftime and as limited by said barrier means.

4. In a racing game of the character described, comprising a pluralityof individual courses having a finish position, individual racersdesignated in said courses and intermittent individual control meansVfor recording the positions of said racers therealong, a plurality oftime-controlled barrier means, each individual to a racer having acommon drive and invisible to the players and independent of the controlmeans normally governing theextended maximum recorded progress of saidracers at any single actuation, individual automatic time-controlledequalizer means operatively associated with said individual racers andwith said control means for automatically expediting correspondinglagging racers towards said nish to an extent varying directly with thepassage of predetermined intervals of time and as limited by saidbarrier, and time operated limiting means for limiting the extent ofexpedition of a racer towards the finish line after a prescribed maximuminterval of time.

5. A racing game comprising game progress recording means having racecourses including finish positions and a plurality of playing units forindividual players, electrical circuits and switches interconnectingsaid playing units and said recording means, progress indicia associatedwith said courses intermittently actuated by said electrical circuitsand switches in response to play upon said playing units,time-controlled barrier means limiting the rate of progress of saidprogress indici-a along said courses, fast finish means actuatable by aselected one of said switches at a predetermined position of saidprogress indicia along said courses for accelerating correspondingprogress indicia over a portion of said courses, individual movableequalizer means associated with the barrier means for expeditingcorresponding lagging progress indicia towards the iinish positions, andadvantage-eliminating means associated with said fast iinish meansautomatically cancelling the operation of the equalizer means for anyplayer upon his actuation of the fast finish means in a correspondingplaying unit and course.

6. A racing game comprising game progress recording means having racecourses and a plurality of playing units for individual players,electrical circuits and switches interconnecting said playing units andsaid recording means, progress indicia associated with said coursesintermittently actuated by said electrical circuits and switches inresponse to play upon said playing units, and time-controlled barriermeans limiting the rate or" progress of said progress indicia along saidcourses, said time-controlled barrier means comprising a motor, a commondrive means powered thereby, relays in said circuits, clutch drivenrelay actuating members normally movable by said drive means forintermittently actuating corresponding relays during play, andcorresponding clutch-controlled stop members having elements positionedin the path of movement of said relay-actuating members, said stopmembers normally automatically moved at a uniform speed more slowly thanthe relay actuating members but ahead of said members and said elementspreventing the relay actuating members from passing the same.

7. A racing game comprising game progress recording means having racecourses including finish positions and a plurality of playing units forindividual players, electrical circuits and switches interconnectingsaid playing units and said recording means, progress indicia associatedwith said courses intermittently actuated by said electrical circuitsand switches in response to play upon said playing units,time-controlled barrier means limiting the maximum extent and over-allrate of progress of all said progress indicia along said courses to lessthan permitted by said intermittent actuation, and individual equalizermeans associated with the barrier means for expediting correspondinglagging progress indicia towards the finish positions, said equalizermeans comprising a plurality of clutch driven members comprising a.slow-moving member and a relatively fast moving member, said slow-movingmember comp-rising a part of the barrier means, and means to drive saidmembers at ydiiferent speeds, means engageable between a slow movingmember and a relatively faster moving member to restrain over-runningmovement of the slow moving member by the faster member beyond apredetermined limit, latch means normally holding said faster movingmember, means actuated by certain of said switches 19` to release saidlatch means for said over-running movement-within said limit, saidfaster moving member having means for; actuating other of said, switchesduring said over-running movement 8.A. racing game comprising gameprogress recording means having race courses including finish positionsand a plurality of playing units for. individual players, electricalcircuits and switches interconnecting said playing units and saidrecording means, progress indicia associated with said coursesintermittently actuated by said electrical circuits and switches inresponse -to playupon said playing units, time-controlled barrier meanslimiting the rate of progress of allsaid vprogress indicia along saidcourses to lessthan permitted by said intermittent actuation, andindividual equalizer means associated with the barrier means foreXpediting corresponding lagging progress indicia towards said finishpositions, said equalizer means. comprising a plurality of clutch drivenmembers comprising a slow-moving member and a relatively fast movingmember, said slow-moving member comprising a part of the barrier means,and means to ldrive said means. at Vdiierent speeds, means engageablebetween a slow moving member .and a relatively faster moving member torestrain relative over-running movement of the slow moving member by thef-aster member beyond a predetermined limit, latch means normallyholding saidfaster moving member, means actuated [by certain of saidswitches to release said latch means for said relative over-runningmovement within said limit, said faster moving member having means foractuating other of said switches during said over-running movement, saidequalizer means further comprising corresponding stops engageablebetween said slow moving and said faster moving members following apredetermined relative over-running movement of said slower memberrelative to said faster member while said faster member is restrainedfrom movement between successive plays.

9.-'A control mechanism for simulated horse racing games of thecharacter described, said mechanism comprising drive means, a firstmember normally moved by said drive means at a predetermined speed, asecond member normally moved by said rst member at a relatively fasterpredetermined speed,- a first clutchlike connectionbetween said drivemeans and said first moving member, and a second clutchlike connectionof relatively less driving power than said first clutchlike connectionbetween said first and second members, releasable stop means for saidsecond moving member normally preventing movement thereof, firstinter-engaging abutment means between said rst and second moving memberswhereby said rst moving member is stopped following an interval ofmovement relative to said second moving member, stop releasing meansfortuitously operable to release Athe stop means for said second movingmember whereby said second moving member is permitted to move at saidrelatively faster speed, and second inter-engaging abutment meansbetween said rst and second moving members operating to limitsaidmovement of said second moving member a predetermined distance withrespect to said rst moving member, a stop re-establishing meansoperative upon said last limitation of movement between said i'irst andsecond moving members to re-engage said releasable stop means associatedwith said second moving member.

10. A control mechanism as describedinhclaim 9, including switch meansactuatable bylsaid second moving member, a progress indicator,V`

said progress indicator being activated by and including `a circuit incommon with said switch means.

1l. A control mechanism Aas described in claim 10 wherein said switchmeans comprises a gear wheel operatively associated with and rotatableby said second moving member and plurality of lingers extending fromsaid gear wheel, said switch means further comprising an electric`switch engageable by said fingers during movement of said gear wheel andsaid second moving member whereby said switch is intermittently ingmember is a solenoid and arm controlled thereby said second movingmember including a number of abutments engageable against said arm, saidstop releasing means including said stop re-establishing meanscomprising an electrical switch associated with said irst moving member,and further including an electrical holding circuit common to saidsolenoid and last mentioned switch, such switch being actuated by saidsecond moving member for opening said holding circuit and permittingsaid arm to Are-v engage an abutment on said second moving member.

15. A control mechanism as described in claim 9, wherein said rst andsecond moving members are wheel-like and disposed in parallel spacedco-axial relationship, said inter-engaging means comprising mutuallyengaging abutments on sai-d rst and second moving members engageable atpredetermined angles of relative rotation for limiting said relativerotation within said predetermined angles.

16. A control-mechanism for simulated horse racing games of thecharacter described, said mechanismrcomprising drive means, a rst meansnormally vmoved by said drive means at a predetermined speed, a secondmeans normally moved by said rst means at a relatively fasterpredetermined speed,'a first clutchlike connection between said drivemeans and vsaid rst moving means, and a second clutchlilie connection ofrelatively less driving power than, said rst clutchlike connectionbetween said rst and second means, releasable `stop means for lsaidsecond moving means normally preventing movement thereof, inter-engagingmeans between said first and second movingmeans whereby said4 firstmoving means is stopped following an interval of movementv relative tosaid second moving means, stop releasing means fortuitously operable torelease the stop means for said second moving means whereby said secondmoving means is permitted to move at said relatively faster speed, saidinter-engaging means including means. operating to limit. said movementvof said second moving means a predetermined Adistance with respect tosaid rst moving means, a

stop re-establishing means operative .upon said last limitation ofmovement betweensaid first 21 and second moving means to rte-engage `thestop Number means associated with said second moving means. 1,697,701DOUGLAS R. WISER. 1,707,859 THOMAS CLINTON BARTLAM. 1,947,608 BRYAN R.BURKE. 5 2,076,054 2,076,055 REFERENCES CITED 2,133,165 The followingreferences are of record in the 2,230,563 file of this patent: 2,280,000

UNITED STATES PATENTS 10 Number Name Date N umbel' 1,454,968 Hguchi May15, 1923 572,519 1,518,754 Prina et al Dec. 9, 1924 1,553,895 GarciaSept. 15, 1925 Name Date Wallace Jan. 1, 1929 Johnson Apr. 2, 1929 MayFeb. 20, 1934 Williams et al. Apr. 6, 1937 Williams et al Apr. 6, 1937Eisenberg et al. Oct. 11, 1938 Garms et al. Feb. 4, 1941 Millar et alApr. 14, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Oct. 11, 1945

